Page 56 of Sterling Heat

“What noise?” I jostle the phone between my chin and shoulder, reach for my wallet and pull out a twenty. Slapping it on the table, I turn away from my brothers and head for the exit.

“It’s probably just an animal. I’m so tired, I’m just imagining things.” Her quiet huff does not disguise the trace of fear in her voice.

“Where’s Adara?”

“In my arms.”

“Where are you?”

“In my living room.”

With the open concept, and lights illuminating the first level of her house, she’s a guppy in a fishbowl.

“What about your sister?”

“Cadence left days ago.”

What? “Baby, I want you to go upstairs. Stay on the phone with me and lock yourself in the bathroom.”

“Sebastian, like I said. I’m probably being silly. Just hearing your voice, I feel calmer.”

Fuck, I should not like the way that sounds. I want her to hang up and dial 9-1-1 but I’m also afraid to let her off the phone.

I’ve made it to my truck and have the engine started. My phone clicks over to hands-free and I’m reversing like I’m a NASCAR pro. “I’m on my way.”

“I didn’t mean to interrupt your night.”

“You can always interrupt me. Just stay on the phone with me. Tell me something about Adara. Anything. How is she doing?”

Within seconds, Enya’s voice softens as she tells me about the baby. How much weight she’s gained. How she scoots around until she’s comfortable on Enya’s chest. How she lifts her head.

I’m pulling into Enya’s drive faster than I should be and the gravel kicks up underneath my tires. “That’s just me,” I tell her as I climb out of the truck and slam the door. “I’m going to take a look around. If I’m not at your front door in three minutes, you call 9-1-1.”

“Now you’re scaring me.”

“Sugar, do as I say. Please.”

I circle the perimeter of her house, not even trying to be stealth-like as I’m itching for a fight. Forget the stable. Forget Knox and his jabbing jests. The sensation rippling up my arms and causing my heart to hammer reminds me of the last time I was here when everything went to hell.

That fucker had messed with my sister, and in return he had someone bigger, stronger, faster messing with him.

But anyone thinking they can meddle with this woman—with Enya—will have more than hell to worry about.

After a rapid circle around Enya’s house, I stare in the direction of the distant woods, knowing well the path that leads through the trees. A roughly two-acre meadow surrounds this place before the woods begin. Within the forest is an open space, protected by the heavy trees. Parties were held there. Deals were done, too.

When I was arrested, I came clean and the local sheriff’s department was able to take down a dealer or two before others wised up and moved to another location. Which means Stone was able to chase off suppliers and buyers, pushing them into another town, another set of woods.

Rounding back to the front of the house, I climb the porch stairs, thumping up them like a warning. Enya opens the door and I’m slipping my arms around her before I can catch myself. With a gentle kick, I close the door behind me and hold her tight to my chest. Adara is at Enya’s shoulder, and I press my nose into her baby-sweet neck.

“I told you to wait for me upstairs,” I whisper, lifting my head and staring into Enya’s wide brown eyes.

“I heard you in the yard.” With her still in my arms, I catch a whiff of her as well. Rain-sweet and a bit of baby scent blend together.

Pulling back, I notice she’s wearing my T-shirt and possibly nothing else. Looking her in the eye again, purple smudges darken the skin beneath her warm irises. “Are you getting any sleep?”

Her shoulder lifts and lowers. “Some.” She presses a kiss to Adara’s head.

“When did your sister leave?”